86 CJ-7 will not crank, do i have starter issues or battery?

tomnmendy · 01-08-2009, 09:40 AM

I have an 86 cj-7 that my wife and i have been restoring. When we try to crank it right now all we get is one click then nothing. The starter doesn't turn over at all. I just replaced the battery about 7 months ago I think and replaced it with a higher cold crank battery than what i had. I assume that since i know my battery is fairly new and my volt gauge shows me charging it when i was running that my battery and alternator are good. I think but am not sure and looking for advice is that when i turn the key and all i get is one click that my starter is going or gone bad. does this sound correct?

HighFive · 01-08-2009, 09:51 AM

Try tapping the starter with a hammer then try to start it. If it does not work you might need a new one.

SuB8HaVeN · 01-08-2009, 09:53 AM

Are you able to test your battery with a voltmeter?

tomnmendy · 01-08-2009, 10:07 AM

i tested the battery and it showed 12.21 volts.

i hit the starter with a hammer a couple times and it still does the same when i turn the key, just one click from what sounds like the starter.

i check the wires/cables and they look good and not corroded.

???????? is it the starter giving me issues?

thanks for the help!

Saltydawg1 · 01-08-2009, 10:07 AM

Did you try charging your battery yet?

Sounds to me like your battery just needs a bump. If the Bendix on the starter is engaging but it just won't turn, and you're not getting any heat in your battery cables, it's probably just a dead battery.

SuB8HaVeN · 01-08-2009, 10:15 AM

It really depends on the battery. I'd take it to a parts store and have it tested. I've had some instances where the battery would not turn it over even when it read 12-12.4V. A fully charged battery should read about 13-13.1V.

If you touch the battery cables after trying to crank it, are they hot? Are they burned at the ends or anything? I would try and swap the cables first because they're cheap and a lot of times the cables are the problem even after you replace the starter, solenoid, battery, etc. It could also be your starter solenoid. I've been through about 3 or 4 solenoids in the few years that I've owned my CJ.

CoolTrips · 01-08-2009, 10:20 AM

I would try putting a good charge on the battery. Even though it is not that old if it has been sitting and or used to start the jeep for short periods (with out actually driving) it may be too weak to engage the starter especially if the starter has some time on it.

**Mike Romain** · 01-08-2009, 10:48 AM

When I see a good battery charge and only get a click in any Ford or Jeep, the first thing I go for is that fender solenoid's connections. They are open to the weather and get hidden corrosion all the time.

If I want to verify that is the issue, I put a booster cable on the starter side of the solenoid and touch the other clamp to the battery positive cable clamp. It will spark and the starter should spin up. If the key is in run, the engine should also start.

**Bakunin** · 01-08-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Romain

When I see a good battery charge and only get a click in any Ford or Jeep, the first thing I go for is that fender solenoid's connections. They are open to the weather and get hidden corrosion all the time.

If I want to verify that is the issue, I put a booster cable on the starter side of the solenoid and touch the other clamp to the battery positive cable clamp. It will spark and the starter should spin up. If the key is in run, the engine should also start.

I agree, sounds like a wiring issue to me. Battery is good, starter isn't doing a repeated "click...click...click..." sounds to me like you're missing a power connection somewhere. Check your wires and especially the solenoid like Mike said.

Ziptie2k2 · 01-08-2009, 11:27 AM

This happened to me once. I replaced the starter and everything has been fine since. (I did have an extra under the workbench though).

Although mine rolled over slow for a couple days before it happened.

**John Strenk** · 01-08-2009, 11:33 AM

I get this wih corrodd cables also. They can look good but still have a lot of corrosion under the insulation.

A volt meter would help in this. Checking the voltage drops will expalin a lot.

tomnmendy · 01-08-2009, 12:33 PM

Ok - i went over the wires and they all look fine. The ground on the battery was loose so i tightened it and check all the wires on the solenoid and the starter. i still get just one click.

If i try to jump start it with another car and it starts, that would point to the battery right? If it doesn't and only does one click then its the solenoid or starter. If i use jumper cables and connect at the solenoid side of the starter and connect to the positive side of the battery and it turns over then its the solenoid if not then the starter.

Does this sound like a logical test to find out which one it is?????

479AZ · 01-08-2009, 12:47 PM

Try jumping past the solenoid with a cable from the positive side of the battery. That will answer lots of questions. Also, just because you have 12 volts doesn't mean you have any cranking amps, the battery may still be very weak. Test the easy stuff first, jump past the solenoid. Oh, make sure it's in neutral or you'll run over your foot.

Tim

**Mike Romain** · 01-08-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomnmendy

Ok - i went over the wires and they all look fine. The ground on the battery was loose so i tightened it and check all the wires on the solenoid and the starter. i still get just one click.

If i try to jump start it with another car and it starts, that would point to the battery right?

Only if the connection between the cable clamp and the battery post is OK, yours is suspect because it was loose.

Quote:

If it doesn't and only does one click then its the solenoid or starter. If i use jumper cables and connect at the solenoid side of the starter and connect to the positive side of the battery and it turns over then its the solenoid if not then the starter.

You have two words transposed, but I think you have the right idea.

tomnmendy · 01-08-2009, 01:51 PM

Ok guys - in true jeep nature i went to do some of this stuff like taking jumper cables and connecting the positive side to the starte side of the solenoid. i got the cables out and started to connect and tried one more time to start it and boom, fired right up and strong. So it seems like its got to be a starter or solenoid problem because all my wires are tight now and look ok. what do you think? the last time that the solenoid was changed was probably in 98 or so? I dont ever remember having to change out my starter. Any ideas? But i think the battery is good because it fired up hard there was no lag or sluggish about it.